Medical student censored for wearing ‘inappropriate dress’ to exam - even though it was below her knees

A medical student has been left stunned after being told that her dress, which was comfortably knee-length, was “inappropriate”.

In a viral tweet posted by @MedicGrandpa, they explained that their friend had completed a clinical medical exam with them, and been “yellow carded” by the examiner for wearing what they called a “short skirt”.

They wrote: “A friend did their OSCE’s with me recently & got yellow carded for wearing a ‘short skirt’… could someone explain to me how it’s 2021 & medical schools are still pushing sexist notions of primness upon its female student cohort, for daring to display their ankles.”

Posting a picture of the dress in question, it was clearly knee length, leaving many to describe the comments as “sexist”.

In an update, the person who calls themselves The Graduate Medic on Twitter and who the incident had involved, explained that she had complained to Newcastle University about its decision, only to have it further reinforced.

She explained: “Update: I complained to the university, their response was ‘it was the most inappropriate dress they had ever seen’ and then stated that the examiners word is final and the investigation is closed. isn’t discrimination lovely.”

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The Graduate Medic also gave details of the university’s ruling, explaining they had told her that she wasn’t wearing leg coverings (tights) and therefore they would not want her to treat their friends or family.

Someone on Twitter replied: “We have to keep calling out misogyny and outdated, sexist behaviour when we see it.

“@UniofNewcastle med school is wholly inappropriate in their words and deeds - not a dress below the knee.”

In response to the incident, Newcastle University insisted the comment was made by a role-play patient as part of an exam.

The university said: “We want to apologise once again to @thegradmedic for any offence or distress caused by this incident.

“The comment was made by a role-play patient as part of an exam. All comments made by patients in exams are passed on to students as feedback.

“However, we agree it should not have resulted in a yellow card from the examiner. This is why, when the concerns were raised with us by @thegradmedic earlier this year, they were investigated and the yellow card was rescinded.

“We would not want any student to come away from these exams feeling remarks like this in any way reflect the values of the University and the issues will be addressed in future examination briefings.”

indy100 has contacted Newcastle University for comment.